De Ranke XX Bitter | Brouwerij De Ranke

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Notes / Commercial Description:
XX Bitter or Extra Extra Bitter is a blond, bitter ale containing 6.2% vol. Alc. It’s famous for it’s very bitter and strong flavour. XX is being made with pale pilsner malt and loads of Brewers Gold and Hallertau hop flowers. A perfect combination that has been nationally and internationally praised. This ale has been a real trendsetter for the current comeback of bitter ales in Belgium.

An odd brownish straw. Started off bold, but muddied from some of the dead yeast at the bottom. I left the last bit in the bottle, but still probably dumped too much. Highly carbonated with a white frothy head. Wheat and graphite on the nose with a little bit of dry sandy soil. Yummy. Dry white wine notes with white new oak. Crisp dried cedar and mossy old pine trees. Biscuit and wheat crackers. Finishes extremely dry and earthy with just enough tang to keep it from overwhelming. Quite tasty. This is what a Belgian ipa should taste like.

Cloudy amber brew with big piles of foam in the Affligem chalice. The usual froth til you drop mouthfeel with the endless Belgian yeasty taste. Aroma is more herbal and yeasty. There is some malty sweetness and a pleasant wheaty taste. But mostly it's bitter.

The hops taste like wintergreen and some harsh green tea steeped for hours. The yeasty bitterness seems to amplify the bitterness from the hops. the aftertaste is long and unforgiving. From the 750 ml crown-capped bottle purchased at Bine & Vine.

This is an amazing beer. It has all the characteristics of a typical Belgian golden ale but with a nice hoppy kick. By American standards, this would be simply considered a "decently hoppy" (at least taste-wise) beer, but by Belgian standards it is simply off the charts. The hop bitterness is not itself that intense but the bitterness simply lasts forever after you swallow.

This was a gift from a friend in Belgium, best by date was in 2022. Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle and shared with friends.
A: This beer was alive from the get-go- great carbonation and lacing, medium head.
S: I got a hint of grassiness, crisp herbal notes, gentle hoppiness. Maybe more German style hops, not sure which strains are in here.
T/M: Deliciously dry and mouthwatering. A hint of fruit from the Belgian yeast but this is so clean and refreshing. I just want to keep sipping it! I didn't get to try this with food but I would imagine that it would complement a wide variety of dishes- in particular I am thinking Weiner Schnitzel, Fried Chicken, and sushi would all work great.
O: I absolutely loved it. I am going to seek out other beers in this style.

I've been eyeing this beer for a while, but never picked it up before tonight. From the nose it is quite pungent, with a funky Belgian smell. Taste, it's really not as bitter as I was expecting, but it's a nice smooth Belgian IPA. Would drink again.